October 6, 2020

Playing With Fire Blog Tour: Review

Playing With Fire: A Modern Investigation into Demons, Exorcism, and Ghosts
Author: Billy Hallowell
Genre: Nonfiction
Release Date: September 8, 2020
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Description:

What is our fascination with the other side?

Join investigative reporter Billy Hallowell as he delves into the strange phenomena of supernatural activity. Themes of demonic possession have overtaken Hollywood, with countless films and TV shows delving into the age-old struggle against evil. Why?

Yet, with so much focus on the topic there seems to be very little public knowledge and discussion about the real-life nature and reality of demons.

In many foreign countries, however, supernatural activity is often recorded and discussed

  • Government officials watch a nine-year-old boy walk up a wall
  • A sheriff hears a demonic voice over his radio
  • Doctors witness a child exhibit extra-human strength

It’s no surprise international media took note. Quite often, though, many people remain silent about their experiences or resort to quietly whispering about what they’ve seen, heard, or felt for fear of being labeled insane or crazy.

The truth is, even pastors, priests, and clergy who have observed firsthand accounts of possession and deliverance can succumb to the strange and terrifying effects of intense spiritual warfare.

For people of faith, Playing with Fire will address these core questions:

  • Are demons active today?
  • If they do, indeed, exist, what are they? Are they fallen angels? Nephilim?
  • Can demons inhabit human beings?
  • If they exist, what can be done to stop them?

Playing with Fire will explore the theological underpinnings surrounding demonic forces. Relying on firsthand accounts, newspaper reports, and Christian experts, Billy Hallowell will take readers through the various views and perspectives surrounding supernatural activity.

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Playing With Fire is a fascinating look at our culture's seeming obsession with the supernatural and evil as well as investigating where these ideas come from and whether they could be real or not. 

I'm a huge fan of the paranormal and anything related to it, so I was really excited to read this book. I was intrigued to learn about the history of these things and to see what the author had to say about the truth behind the stories we see and hear about on TV, movies, and books. The author is very educated when it comes to everything discussed within the book and presents tons of information along with notes and a bibliography for those who want to learn more. However, I personally couldn't get excited about the topics because it all seemed very dry. It felt like just a bunch of facts, sources, quotes, and other information and it was presented just as boring as they sound. Don't get me wrong - there was great information and I found a lot of it interesting and made notes of things to look up later, but I felt it lacked personality or wasn't presented in an interesting way for me. These are my personal opinions and don't reflect on the book or writing as I'm sure other readers will love it and disagree with my thoughts. As I said, I was excited when I started reading but it fell flat and dry for me within a few pages. I appreciate all of the credible sources and information presented and I did learn some things from the book. I would recommend it to fans of nonfiction, the paranormal, the topics of evil and demons, and for readers who are looking for an informative book on the subject.

Purchase Links:

Thomas Nelson | Amazon Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble


Billy Hallowell has been working in journalism and media for more than two decades. His writings, interviews, and social commentary have appeared in Deseret NewsTheBlazeHuman Events, Mediaite and FoxNews.com, among other outlets. He has served as the faith and culture editor of TheBlaze, senior editor of Faithwire, and he has written four books. Hallowell has a BA in journalism and broadcasting from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York, and an MS in social research from Hunter College in Manhattan, New York.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Instagram Tour:

Monday, September 21st: @jessicamap

Tuesday, September 22nd: @sweetbookobsession

Wednesday, September 23rd: @bookpairings

Thursday, September 24th: @_ebl_inc_

Friday, September 25th: @spookypumpkinqueen

Saturday, September 26th: @thecityofdarkclockwork

Sunday, September 27th: @fearyourex

Monday, September 28th: @ve_xo

Wednesday, September 30th: @one.chapteratatime

Thursday, October 1st: @katieneedsabiggerbookshelf

Friday, October 2nd: @thebookend.diner

Saturday, October 3rd: @nurse_bookie

Review Tour:

Monday, October 5th: Leighellen Landskov and @mommaleighellensbooknook

Tuesday, October 6th: A Dream Within a Dream

Wednesday, October 7th: @the.magicalpages

Friday, October 9th: Well Read Traveler and @wellreadtraveler

Monday, October 12th: Mom Loves Reading and @mom_loves_reading

Tuesday, October 13th: The OC Book Girl and @theocbookgirl

Wednesday, October 14th: PhDiva Blog and @thephdivabooks

Thursday, October 15th: Books Cooks Looks

Friday, October 16th: @readinggirlreviews

Monday, October 19th: Hallie Reads and @h.szott

Monday, October 19th: The Lit Bitch and @thelit_bitch

Tuesday, October 20th: Tabi Thoughts

Wednesday, October 21st: @brabsandbooks

Thursday, October 22nd: From the TBR Pile

Friday, October 23rd: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Monday, October 26th: The Hi Reader and @thehireader

Tuesday, October 27th: Barks Beaches Books and @barksbeachesbooks

Wednesday, October 28th: @dropandgivemenerdy

 

 

1 comment:

  1. I get scared of everything but dang it if I don't want to read this. Haha! Thank you for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours

    ReplyDelete